The Chairman of Sagamu Local Government said this on Thursday.

The Chairman of Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Olufunmilayo Efuwape, on Thursday said the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, influenced her choice as the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria in the council elections in the state.

Ms. Efuwape, the only female local government boss in the state, stated this while delivering a lecture on the topic: ‘Evolution of Women in Politics: The Challenges And Prospects’ organised by Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State Correspondents Chapel, Abeokuta.

Recalling how she slugged it out with 17 male aspirants for the party during the primaries, Ms. Efuwape said she was already written off by her opponents, before the intervention of the governor who insisted that women must be given the opportunity to serve in politics.

She stated that the governor’s timely intervention, coupled with his administration’s policy of encouraging women in governance paved the way for her emergence as the party’s candidate and as eventual winner.

Speaking further, the council chairman encouraged more women to venture into politics and do away with the fear of sponsored scandals against them.

She argued for an increase in female participation in governance up to 45 per cent of available positions.

“The patriarch system in the society along with its stereotype roles provide barriers for women to empower themselves to do things beyond the domestic duties,” she said.

“The country needs more women in policy making; women should brace up to face challenges. Women participation in the parliament is still below the 30 percent quota, especially in developing countries.

“More women representation in the parliament can be accomplished by enhancing their political awareness and independency. Education comes up as the solution to empower women and enhances their participation both in developmental programme, society and politics,” she added.

The chairman also faulted the notion that women in politics are prostitutes, stressing that politics does not cause matrimonial home breaks as believed in some quarters.